Jakarta, NU Online

The transmission rate of Covid-19 in Indonesia has increasingly remained high so that possible mutations occur and have many variants that have the potential to spread very quickly, one of which is the Delta variant from India.

 

Therefore, the Head of the Covid-19 Task Force of the Nahdlatul Ulama (NU), Dr. Makky Zamzami, firmly appealed to the public to tighten the use of health protocols.

 

"So as the transmission increases, the viruses have developed. So the potential for mutation is definitely possible. There are already (more than) 100 million cases of Covid-19 worldwide, so the potential for the virus to spread or change will be very large. In addition, there are racial differences in this world with variations that will also appear differences," Dr. Makky to NU Online here on Monday (21/6).

 

There are 10 variants of Covid-19 in the world, namely Alpha B.1.1.7 (UK), Beta B.1.351 (South Africa), Gamma P.1 (Brazil), Zeta P.2 (Brazil), Theta P.3 (Philippines), Eta B.1.525 (UK), Epsilon B.1.427/B.1.429 (United States), Iota B.1.526 (United States), Kappa B.1.617.1 (India), and Delta B.1.617.2 (India).

 

He said that the most popular variant was the one originating from India, namely Delta B 1617.2.

 

"This variant is a concern because in India itself its spread is easier, easier, faster," he said, adding that those whose had close physical distance could easily be infected.

 

In short, the transmission of the Delta variant of Covid-19 could spread quickly. During the last Eid al-Fitr, said Dr. Makky, several cases after being traced at several points it was found that there were mutations of the Delta variant originating from India.

 

"So this Delta is more quickly transmitted, for example in a closed or open room it is more contagious. Its virulence aspect is faster. In general, the symptoms are the same as the Corona virus. However it could spread faster. Those who used to keep a one-meter distance and then communicate can quickly get infected,” he added.

 

Symptoms of the Delta variant

 

He was of the view that the symptoms of the Delta variant could not be known with certainty but in general they were similar to ordinary Covid-19 ones. Because the only thing that could determine is the results of laboratory tests carried out in detail.

 

“When we considered that this Delta variant is getting more and more, maybe we could see, for example, our family yesterday was safe, but many have now been affected, many of our friends have also been affected. Even though they have taken good care of it, they still suffer from it,” Dr. Makky said.

 

According to him, it is possible that the Covid-19 cases spike in almost all parts of Indonesia, including Jakarta, is caused by the Delta variant. Even in India, this variant has become an extraordinary problem, so when it enters Indonesia, it will definitely affect the increase in the surge in Covid-19 cases.

 

On account of the transmission of this Delta variant could spread quickly, Dr. Makky firmly called on the public to reduce their mobility outside the house and make direct contact with other people. Even if possible, they must 'prejudice' to everyone they meet.

 

“That means we have to be suspicious of everyone we meet. Because it has the potential to transmit the Covid-19 so that our vigilance could be maintained by keeping such a distance, besides that health protocols must also be tightened,"he concluded.

 

Reporter: Aru Lego Triono

Editor: Sudarto Murtaufiq